Scalable visualization of model differences

Abstract

If large models are compared their difference can contain a huge number of local changes. Conventional methods for displaying differences cannot reasonably handle such large differences. This paper proposes a solution to this problem. Our approach is based on the concept of polymetric views and extends it in two ways: firstly, we propose metrics for differences which quantify properties of differences and distinguish relevant from irrelevant changes. Moreover, we propose new graphical features of polymetric views. This combination provides a scalable presentation of differences which makes the changes of large models comprehensible.

Bridging the gap between role mining and role engineering via migration guides

“…The experiences in our studies show that the effort for using line-based and tree-based visualizations to migrate RBAC models was very high. Therefore, we can confirm the findings reported in the literature (see, e.g., (Altmanninger et al, 2009;Wenzel, 2008)) that line-based model comparison techniques are hardly human-readable for large and complex real-world models. In addition, we can report the same finding for tree-based visualizations.…”

“…A number of existing approaches aims to improve the readability and interpretation of difference models that are defined via edit scripts, coloring schemes, or through a combination of both (see, e.g., (Kim et al, 2009;Ohst et al, 2003;Schipper and Fuhrmann, 2009;Wenzel, 2008)). For instance, Ohst et al (Ohst et al, 2003) discuss the detection of differences between two versions of software design documents (e.g., UML class diagrams).…”

A Survey of Model Comparison Approaches and Applications

“…For example, model-based representation can be visualized through colouring (Ohst et al, 2003). Newer visualization approaches try to separate visualization from representation ( Wenzel, 2008;Wenzel et al, 2009). There is also an approach (Schipper et al, 2009) to extend visualization techniques for comparing text files to work with models by including additional features unique to higher level representations, such as folding, automatic layout, and navigation.…”

An Approach to Bridge the Gap between Role Mining and Role Engineering via Migration Guides

“…Line-based model comparison techniques are hardly humanreadable for large and complex real-world models (see, e.g., [1], [33]). Furthermore, this technique does not consider structural or semantic similarities in the comparison of RBAC models.…”

“…In this context, the representation and visualization of difference models is of high importance. A number of existing approaches aims to improve the readability and interpretation of difference models that are defined via edit scripts, via coloring, or through a combination of both (see, e.g., [23], [26], [33]). The approach presented in this paper, complements existing approaches.…”